Chapter 2: Nightmare
Peter hit the earth. Mud splattered as he slid across the forest floor. Sharp roots cut into his cheekbones and bumped into his spine. Wildly, the boy grabbed at slick ferns and branches with wet fingers; he did not stop until colliding with a tree trunk, which was groaning in the wind.
The rain was cold as Peter groped upwards, wiping mud from his eyes.
"Wendy!"
The wind howled at his feeble call. Shielding his eyes from the biting raindrops, Peter yelled again, "Wendy!"
The storm pushed Peter down to the earth. Crawling on hands and knees, Peter fought against the winds with all his might. Wendy had been ripped from his arms when the children crashed. Peter's heart roared with worry, for his Wendy Lady had not cried out for him during the fall….or…the shot…
Peter squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to believe! She was all right. She was all right. He would make her all right! Oh where was she?
"Wendy!" Peter screamed, blinded by the wind and rain, "Wendy! Wendy! Wendy!"
"…Peter…"
Wendy had spoken softly as a butterfly in flight. But Peter had heard her. Clearly.
"Wendy!" Breathing hard and forgetting to fly, Peter clamored towards the girl. When he reached Wendy's side, Peter's heart turned to ice.
Wendy lay tangled in a mass of roots, arched over her small body like magnificent bedposts. Bits of twigs, leaves, and forest littler decorated her curls, no doubt souvenirs of the landing. Her blue nightgown was ruined, caked as it was with mud and…and…
Peter fell to his knees hands hovering over the red stain across Wendy's chest. She was hardly moving and scarcely breathing. Her skin was pale. Deathly pale.
And all at once, Peter was truly a child. Hands shaking and teeth chattering, the boy's mind fell victim to a thousand nightmares; and in all of them, his Wendy never came back.
"Don't go!" Peter yelled incoherently, "Wendy!"
"…shhh…"
"I won't!"
Trembling uncontrollably, Peter seized the girl and cradled her in his arms. Covering Wendy's broken body from the rain, Peter buried his head against hers. "Don't go!"
"…shhh…shhhh…I'm here…"
Absently, Wendy gently stroked a finger against Peter's forearm. Quieting, the boy breathed heavily into the girl's hair. Her weak touch strengthened him, and Wendy almost smiled when Peter adjusted her in his arms.
She could read his movements like one of her story books. She always had, even when Peter was only a shadow. Right now, Peter's chest was expanding. His ears were cocking. His fingers and toes where curling. His heart beat was skipping. He was preparing to take off. He was ready to fly.
But something stopped Peter.
Wendy's body sagged, as if someone had turned her to stone. Looking down, Peter's heart broke.
Wendy gazed at Peter. Her blue eyes were sad.
Her lips moved.
Peter leaned closer.
"…Peter…"
"Don't worry little Wendy Bird," Peter tried to smile. Hefting her closer, the boy said, "You'll be well tonight. Then, I'll take you to ride…"
He froze.
"…Peter…"
The children stared at each other.
"…Peter…I…l…"
And Peter watched, as Wendy's light went out.